Seeking php function to strip invalid characters from string

RJ · 03-24-2005, 02:42 AM

I'm looking for the most efficient function that I can give a string and have it return the same string without the invalid characters. Its for a domain related application so only alphanumeric and hyphens are valid.

Example:
$string = cleanstring("test_ing"); # returns "testing"
$string = cleanstring("t@e#s%t i*n^g"); # returns "testing"
$string = cleanstring("test-ing"); # returns "test-ing"

Suggestions?

Peter · 03-24-2005, 10:01 AM

wouldnt you just be as well to do :-

$domain_name = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$domain_name);

RJ · 03-24-2005, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by filth

wouldnt you just be as well to do :-

$domain_name = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$domain_name);

That's what I needed. Thanks Peter!

Peter · 03-24-2005, 01:36 PM

no probs -RJ- glad to be of assistance.

RJ · 03-31-2005, 04:02 PM

I'm getting this error

Warning: Unknown modifier '-' in /script.php on line 85

Using this line
$domain_name = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$domain_name);

PoorDoggie · 03-31-2005, 04:36 PM

are the variables right? You had $string in your first post, but now it is $domain_name - is this right?

RJ · 03-31-2005, 04:41 PM

Variable name shouldn't matter, but my actual code is

$sld = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$sld);

I think I just need a refresher on regular expressions.

PoorDoggie · 03-31-2005, 04:51 PM

sorry can't help you then. I just use cleanstring()

gamex · 03-31-2005, 05:06 PM

It seems that if you remove the / before the -, the error goes away, but I dont know if thats still what you want. I never really got the hang of reg exps so sorry if that wasnt what you were looking for

Peter · 04-01-2005, 12:34 AM

yes my bad I escaped the - when it wasnt needed. RJ you can just delete the / before the - and it will work

Poordoggie cleanstring() is not an in built php function but I presume you mean

PHP Code:

  function cleanString($wild) {

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/programming/77410-seeking-php-function-strip-invalid-characters.html
   return ereg_replace("[^[:alnum:]+]","",$wild);

}

which is in a note by one of the users at php.net

03-24-2005, 02:42 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
RJ NamePros Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,930 Follow @DomainBuyer	Seeking php function to strip invalid characters from string I'm looking for the most efficient function that I can give a string and have it return the same string without the invalid characters. Its for a domain related application so only alphanumeric and hyphens are valid. Example: $string = cleanstring("test_ing"); # returns "testing" $string = cleanstring("t@e#s%t i*n^g"); # returns "testing" $string = cleanstring("test-ing"); # returns "test-ing" Suggestions? __________________ @DomainBuyer facebook

03-24-2005, 10:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	wouldnt you just be as well to do :- $domain_name = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$domain_name); __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

03-24-2005, 01:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	no probs -RJ- glad to be of assistance. __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

03-31-2005, 04:02 PM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
RJ NamePros Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,930 Follow @DomainBuyer	I'm getting this error Warning: Unknown modifier '-' in /script.php on line 85 Using this line $domain_name = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$domain_name); __________________ @DomainBuyer facebook

03-31-2005, 04:41 PM	THREAD STARTER #7 (permalink)
RJ NamePros Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,930 Follow @DomainBuyer	Variable name shouldn't matter, but my actual code is $sld = preg_replace('/[^a-zA-Z0-9/-]/','',$sld); I think I just need a refresher on regular expressions. __________________ @DomainBuyer facebook

03-31-2005, 04:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
PoorDoggie Soon to be RICHdoggie! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 2,408	are the variables right? You had $string in your first post, but now it is $domain_name - is this right?

03-31-2005, 04:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
PoorDoggie Soon to be RICHdoggie! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 2,408	sorry can't help you then. I just use cleanstring()

03-31-2005, 05:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
gamex NamePros Regular Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Student @ UConn Posts: 411	It seems that if you remove the / before the -, the error goes away, but I dont know if thats still what you want. I never really got the hang of reg exps so sorry if that wasnt what you were looking for __________________ Joe

04-01-2005, 12:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	yes my bad I escaped the - when it wasnt needed. RJ you can just delete the / before the - and it will work Poordoggie cleanstring() is not an in built php function but I presume you mean PHP Code: `function cleanString($wild) { ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/programming/77410-seeking-php-function-strip-invalid-characters.html return ereg_replace("[^[:alnum:]+]","",$wild); }` which is in a note by one of the users at php.net __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft Last edited by filth; 04-01-2005 at 12:37 AM.

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